Coffee in Manipur: From Mere Existence to Optimal Production?

By Rajesh A. M., IFSJoint Resident Commissioner, Manipur Liaison Office, Bengaluru | Manipur Guest House, Mumbai & Vellore | Government of Manipur

Coffee

Coffee is one of the most cherished beverages in the world today. It may come as a surprise to many that coffee, though not native to India, has long become part of our agricultural and cultural landscape. The journey of coffee in India began with a mystic tale — a saint who smuggled seven green coffee beans from the Arab world (where export of coffee beans was prohibited), hidden in his beard, planting the first seeds of what would become a major agricultural industry in southern India.

India now grows 16 distinct varieties of coffee across 13 regions, mostly in southern states like Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. However, it is time we shift focus to India's northeast, particularly Manipur — a state that holds untapped potential to replicate a coffee revolution of its own.

Coffee in Northeast India: The Current Landscape

According to the Coffee Board of India’s 2016–17 report, northeastern states have slowly entered the coffee map. Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh — and to a limited extent, Manipur — have all initiated cultivation of Arabica and Robusta coffee. Manipur’s contribution, however, remains minimal with about 232 hectares under Arabica and 7 hectares under Robusta — primarily in districts like Churachandpur and Tamenglong.

Arabica and Robusta are two major species of coffee with distinct ecological needs and commercial values. Arabica, with its sweet flavor and lower caffeine content, is considered superior but more delicate. Robusta, with higher caffeine and disease resistance, is hardier but more bitter.

While northeast India produced about 145.5 metric tons of coffee from over 3000 hectares of bearing area, productivity varies drastically — from just 7 kg/ha in Nagaland to an impressive 2223 kg/ha in Mizoram. This disparity reflects critical gaps in technical support, financial backing, and, most importantly, market connectivity.

Manipur's Coffee Story: What Went Wrong?

Coffee was introduced in Manipur as early as the late 1970s by the Manipur Plantation Crops Corporation Ltd., and a Coffee Board survey in the 1980s had identified over 6600 hectares across five districts as suitable for cultivation. Despite this, the industry has remained dormant. Lack of sustained initiatives, poor extension services, and inadequate incentives contributed to its stagnation.

Yet, there is every reason to believe Manipur can rise to become a coffee hub. The climate, soil, and altitude are conducive. Crucially, the state remains isolated from major coffee-producing areas, limiting the spread of pests and diseases. Starting afresh with healthy planting material and organic practices gives Manipur a clear agro-ecological advantage.

Coffee as a Sustainable Development Pathway

Shade-grown coffee can be a powerful answer to many of Manipur’s pressing issues:

• Deforestation and Jhum (shifting) cultivation

• Illegal crop practices

• Rural unemployment and migration

• Low agricultural productivity

Coffee cultivation encourages agroforestry — integrating trees, crops, and biodiversity. It allows intercropping with vegetables (like carrots and potatoes in the early years) and with fruit and spice trees (like banana, orange, cardamom, and pepper) in later years. These combinations not only provide year-round income to farmers but also restore ecological balance and reduce deforestation.

Moreover, organic coffee is seeing a sharp rise in global demand. With its antioxidant-rich profile and health-conscious appeal, coffee is increasingly favored over carbonated or alcoholic drinks. This opens up high-value export and specialty coffee markets for Manipur.

Economic Opportunities: Beyond Beans

Globally, coffee is the second most traded commodity after oil. In 2015 alone, the coffee industry in the USA generated an economic impact of $225.2 billion. For Manipur, this means far more than farming:

• Employment in coffee processing, packaging, equipment manufacturing, transportation, and retail

• Tourism via homestays and eco-lodges in coffee plantations (like Coorg in Karnataka)

• Café culture that supports urban entrepreneurs and local coffee consumption

• Research and innovation in agro-processing, climate-resilient farming, and marketing

Nagaland, a neighboring state, has already exported organic coffee to South Africa. Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh is another inspiring example where tribal communities saw transformation through coffee cooperatives. Manipur too can harness the power of contract farming, cooperatives, and coffee festivals to create a vibrant local economy.

Coffee and Climate Change: A Rare Opportunity

As per IPCC reports, climate change is likely to make current coffee-growing areas unsuitable due to rising temperatures, pushing the minimum required altitude for Arabica cultivation higher. Manipur’s high-elevation, cool-climate regions are emerging as the new frontier for climate-resilient coffee farming.

Shade-grown coffee offers additional protection against heat stress, making it a more viable model in a warming world. Investing in Manipur’s coffee industry is not just about opportunity — it's about future-proofing India’s coffee sector.

A Call to Action: Turning Potential into Productivity

The Coffee Board of India is already taking several farmer-friendly initiatives to support the northeast — from seed distribution and capacity building to group nurseries and welfare schemes for women and marginal farmers. Now is the time for farmers, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and the Manipur government to rise together and make the most of this support.

Organizing Coffee Festivals alongside Manipur’s cultural events, building processing infrastructure, and creating market linkages can catalyze a movement. It requires year-round commitment, community participation, and a shared vision to elevate Manipur from a region of mere coffee presence to one of optimal, sustainable production.

If Rwanda — once known for tragedy — can now be globally recognized for its specialty coffee, Manipur too can earn its place on the world’s coffee map. All it needs is vision, consistency, and collective action.

Views expressed are personal. Rajesh A. M., IFSJoint Resident CommissionerGovernment of ManipurManipur Liaison Office, BengaluruManipur Guest Houses, Mumbai & Vellore